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NYC Date Ideas (That Aren't Restaurants)

A romantic dinner is a classic go-to for Valentine's Day. But New York City offers a huge variety of date nights that extend beyond the traditional meal out. Check out these date ideas (perfect for Valentine's Day) that won't leave you yawning. By Adrienne Smith.
Nitehawk-cinema-williamsburg-brooklyn
Photo Credit: Nitehawk Cinema

Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 384-2980
www.nitehawkcinema.com

Williamsburg's Nitehawk Cinema elevates the movie going experience with three simple concepts: more space, good food and potent drinks. Seats are organized in pairs – perfect for you and your date – with servers inconspicuously taking orders. The menu rotates, featuring dishes and cocktails inspired by featured movies. But the tater tots with queso and scallions ($7) and robust charcuterie plate (price varies) are menu staples. After, recap the movie with your date at the bar right outside.

More: Brooklyn's Best Rooftop Bars

MuseumOfSex_Funland_5thAve
Photo Credit: Museum Of Sex

Museum Of Sex
233 5th Ave
New York, NY 10016
(212) 689-6337
www.museumofsex.com

The Flatiron District's Museum Of Sex combines learning and sex in a fun, inventive way. The museum features exhibits like Funland: Pleasures & Perils Of The Erotic Fairground and The Eve Of Porn: Linda Lovelace. Plus, the gift store is a blast to browse, filled with racy books, toys, apparel and candles. Head down to the museum's Play Bar for a cocktail afterwards. Added bonus: Valentine's Day will include extended hours and cocktail offerings in the galleries.

More: NYC's Best Wine Happy Hours

trapeze-class
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Trapeze School New York
353 West St
New York, NY 10014
(917) 797-1872
www.newyork.trapezeschool.com

Get active on date night at TSNY, where you can brave the weather at Manhattan's Pier 40 and South Street Seaport or head to Long Island City for indoor lessons. Classes options vary from flying trapeze to trampoline or silk aerial rope. Most options will be under $100, although prices vary, and you can choose amongst group options or private lessons.

More: NYC's Best Cold Weather Date Ideas

Apotheke-romantic-cocktail-classes
Photo Credit: Apotheke

Cocktail Class at Apotheke
9 Doyers St
New York, NY 10079
(212) 406-0400
www.apothekenyc.com

Instead of meeting a date for a drink, make one together! The bar Apotheke on the border of Chinatown and the Lower East Side offers "Apotheke Academy" courses in the art of the cocktail. Learn how to make absinthe-minded drinks, become an agave master or learn market fresh mixology. Just for Valentine's Day, Apotheke is offering a class on romantic cocktails and aphrodisiacs for $125. You'll walk away with three or four cocktail recipes tucked under your belt, plus a mixology kit to recreate drinks at home.

More: NYC's Best Bars For A Martini

shuffleboard-royal-palms-brooklyn
Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Shuffleboard at Royal Palms
514 Union St
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(347) 223-4410
http://www.royalpalmsshuffle.com

The Royal Palms offers everything you need for a fun date night out. The 17,000-square-foot bar is New York City's first shuffleboard club. The Gowanus warehouse-like space houses 10 shuffleboard courts, food trucks and two large bars. Grab a tropical cocktail (served in a Brooklyn-esque mason jar) and challenge your date to a rousing game of shuffleboard.

More: NYC's Best Bars With Board Games

For more from the Best Of New York, follow us on Twitter!Adrienne Smith manages Lifestyle & Entertainment content for CBS Local. Follow her on Twitter here.
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